Monday 4 May 2015

Ralph Kidson's Sad Animal #5

Sad Animal #5 (1999)
by Ralph Kidson, cover art by Dave Sim
SIMON PERRINS:
(from Desert Island Comics #41, FPI Blog, 29 December 2012)
Ralph isn't from the Alex Ross school of artists. Some might call his style "naive" although that sounds pretty patronising. All I would say is, look past his scratchy biro drawn and badly photocopied figures, and you’ll see the work of a brilliant cartoonist.

This comic features a stick called Stick, and his mate Envelope, who is an envelope. I swear at one point Stick gives Envelope a withering look. I don't know how that’s possible but he manages it. This issue also features the wistful crustacean Colin Crab, who appears to be in the middle of a low level existential crisis, and an angry killer whale called Bernice. And if war stories are your bag, there's Fridge Patrol, which is the funniest thing I've ever read.

I still want to hear the story of how this comic ended up with a cover by Dave Sim, but I guess some mysteries have to remain mysterious.

UPDATE FROM MARGARET LISS (she knows everything!):
Sad Animal #5 is sold out, but you can get a copy of Giant Clam #2 which has the same cover from this online store.

(via Reuben Willmot. Thanks!)

6 comments:

Margaret said...

Sad Animal #5 is sold out, but you can get a copy of Giant Clam #2 which has the same cover from this online store.

Paul Slade said...

Why is Stick's arm inside the arm of his glasses?

Marni Scofidio said...

I have always LOVED Stick's withering looks... if Stick & Envelope ever have their own tv series/film I think Stick should be played by Alan Rickman

Galvy said...

... I must read this.

Max West said...

Thanks for sharing. I need to take a look at this comic one of these days.

iestyn said...

@Paul Slade - I figured he was holding the glasses up as he has no nose to keep them in place